30 



60. — Pheasant (Phasianus Colchicus). 



I have several times seen a Cock Pheasant down by the pond, 

 and on 18th June, 1893, one came right up to " West Lodge," 

 knowing, of course, it was perfectly safe, for what animal in the 

 whole wide world is so cunning as an old cock Pheasant ? 



61. — Partridge {Perdix Cinerea) 



I have often seen Partridges at " The Cedars," but on 6th 

 April, 1901, while playing hockey, we put one up at our very 

 feet, but I have never come across a nest in the grounds. 



There is, I think, only one visible difference in the sexes, 

 viz., the light-coloured crossbars in the feathers of the wing- 

 coverts of the female, which are entirely absent in the male, 

 though both have the light-coloured bar down the middle of 

 each feather. To be able to tell a young red-leg is sometimes 

 useful, as an old bird generally goes wrong in the legs, and an 

 old red-leg can be bought in the market for a shilling, and the 

 ordinary test is the gouty-looking legs. Well, young birds some- 

 times go wrong in the legs too, yet are classed as old ones. If, 

 however, you know the difference (as the legs do not affect their 

 eating qualities) you can make a good bargain. It is that the 

 tip of the longest quill-feather is golden. This only lasts the 

 one year. 



62. — Landrail (Crex Pratensis). 



I have several times heard this bird at " The Cedars," but 

 never been able to locate it. It is certainly a ventriloquist. 



63. — Moorhen {Gallinula Chloropus). 



A resident. On 3rd January, 1900, one spent a considerable 

 time on our lawn tennis ground. I once saw one fly over a train 

 by the pond, and fall dead, evidently killed by the steam of the 

 engine. 



On 8th January, 1903, I saw a Moorhen at " The Cedars' " 

 pond with a small live fish in its mouth. It kept putting it down, 

 and then the fish flapped. It finally carried the fish into the 

 bushes. 



I often see small dace half alive at "The Cedars' " pond in 

 the winter. I expect it was one of these. 



